After having a solid return to the mini stock division at Flamboro Speedway last year, Michael Kenny is ready to go again with his eyes focused on battling for the championship.

“Unfortunately we will miss one night, but I think we will be a good contender this year,” he told SHORT TRACK MUSINGS. “We have put a lot of work into our Nissan 240 over winter with a new front clip and much more. Looking forward to being back and being around our racing family. Hopefully we have more cars out there than last year, but looking forward to having three cars coming out of the Kenny Racing Stables as RJ Corteau and Matt Smith will be running a full season as well.”

Looking back on 2023 campaign, Kenny twas happy with the improvement shown in his second full season with a rear-wheel drive car, placing fourth in the standings despite missing a night. Across the 20-plus races, he was able to score 10 top-five’s and 21 top-10’s, including a trip to feature victory lane.

“My most memorable moment of 2023 has to be borrowing RJ Croteau’s Mazda mini stock as mine was out of commission and parking his car in victory lane with two podiums,” Kenny reflected. “I still can’t thank him enough for lending me his car to keep in the points race!”

As he looks to put himself into contention this year, he says the focus needs to be on capturing more checkered flags and focusing on the car.

“As a driver, I need to improve more on running the outside line,” he added. “For the longer races I gotta improve on saving the equipment more; last year we went through tires to quick.”

For Kenny, he has been around racing his whole life from a young age as his grandfather, father, and brother all spent time behind the wheel. It is why running the No. 07 is more special, as it was a number ran previously in the family.

“It was fitting to keep the number around and we are in the works of putting my sister Christina Kenny in a pure stock hoping for 2024 mid season,” he offered. “She will make it the fifth generation to be apart of racing under the Kenny name!”

Those years spent growing up at the track allowed him to look up to Shawn McGlynn as he watched him win multiple championships in the Ontario Sportsman Series, as well as John Karley’s success with the Canadian Vintage Modifieds.

With the depth of knowledge he has acquired through the years, Kenny’s advice to the next set of racers is get your wallet out – jokingly.

“But the advice would be not to give up,” he said. “Always set goals for yourself every week and try to achieve them. Put in the work and study your car, your line and much more to learn. Remember – races are won in the shop!”